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OLYMPIC GAMES | BASKETBALL

Zach LaVine doesn't travel with US Olympic team, covid protocols

USA Basketball announced that the player will not travel with his teammates to Tokyo on Monday, although they hope that he can join them later in the week.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 18: Ricky Rubio #9 of Spain drives to the basket against Zach LaVine #5 of the United States during an exhibition game at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Spain 83-76.   Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
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Ethan MillerAFP

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine is in health and safety protocols and will not travel with Team USA on Monday to the Tokyo Olympics.

LaVine under covid protocols

'We hope that Zach will be able to join the team in Tokyo later this week,' USA Basketball posted on Twitter.

The US squad's opening game in Japan is on Sunday against France. They are joined in Group A by Iran and the Czech Republic. LaVine finished third on the team with 43 total points over four exhibition games.

LaVine, 26, made his first All-Star team in 2021 and averaged career highs in points (27.4), rebounds (5.0) and assists (4.9) in 58 starts for the Bulls. He shot a career-high 41.9 percent from 3-point range and finished ninth in the NBA with 200 made 3-pointers.

Alarm bells have also been ringing in the Spanish camp, with Spain having been the last team to face the US side in the final Olympics warm up.